New decisions to protect Lebanese agricultural producers

The Minister of Agriculture, Akram Shehayeb, issued last week four decisions regarding livestock, dairy products as well as the import of banana. The first resolution No. 490 carried a timeline setting amendment of Article 8 of Resolution No. 1/487 dated 11/6/2014 and related to the export and re-export of live cattle and sheep. Therefore, the modified decision becomes as follows, “With regard to mountain goats and sheep, the decision shall be effective from 7/6/2016 to 7/7/2016”. The second decision No. 1/513 imposes on bananas import a prior import permit issued by the Agriculture Minister and observed by various exporting countries. The third decision No. 1/514 regulates the import of white cheeses, dairies and formula milk products and vegetable oils. It comprises 11 articles regulating the application and registration of the dairy factory, the required import papers, procedures on goods arrival, sanitary conditions, field inspection, weight of products and the restriction of re-packaging, as well as document keeping system. The fourth and last decision No. 1/515 involves regulating the import of dried milk products, dried milk formulas and vegetable oils and comprises 10 articles stipulating same above conditions, in addition to temperature control to be observed during the transport and transfer of the goods. (Al Diyar, June 26, 2016)